January 25, 2017

EYEBROW IS THE NAME OF THE GAME

Hola everyone!!!!!

This has been such an amazing week, and I have had so many amazing experiences!!! First, I'll quickly explain the title of my email. So recently we have gotten really close to a district of elders who play a game called eyebrow. Basically, if someone says something like, "I'm going to eat six pieces of pizza tonight" and someone calls eyebrow, they have to do it or else shave some of their eyebrow off. They're even creating a whole rulebook for the game to give to us so we can pass it down to future districts and continue it in the CCM. Everyone is doing it hahaha it's so funny. 

Another thing that was so fun this week, was I found a note from my cousin Tyler in a pineapple plant!! It was such a good hiding spot and so fun to find, and everyone thought it was so funny!! Shout out to Tyler for being the coolest cousin ever. 

This week I made friends with an awesome elder who is 6'8". How did that happen you ask? Well during a devotional he was "justice" and then the president called me up and I was supposed to try to get past justice without mercy. Like an object lesson. But I was the 5' object. Haha it was super embarrassing but hey it's chill we're homies now haha. It was honestly really cool lesson because it really reminded me of how much we really do need the mercy of the Lord. I am so grateful for the Atonement and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ so that we can be saved, and don't have to be crushed by justice.   

Anyways this week has been so spiritually uplifting as well. I have learned so much and although I am definitely far from perfect and I'm still me, I feel like I have grown so much. I love the spirit here in the CCM. While we're teaching investigators, it is so fun because I can feel myself getting better at Spanish and I have been able to speak more from the heart and not just trying to memorize Spanish phrases. 

I am so grateful for my sweet, dedicated companion who always teaches me so much. I am having a blast here and learning so much, and I thank you all for your love and support!! You're the best!!

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Frank

Not too many pictures this week we didn't have much time, the first one is me and "justice" haha he's a nice dude and super funny.  His name is elder Barlow.  Then the next one is my companion and I with a bunch of our cute Latina friends that we have made here.  They are so sweet and are helping us learn Spanish!

January 18, 2017

Hola everyone!:)

I don't even know where to start gosh! This has been such an amazing experience! I absolutely love the CCM. It is so beautiful here and really hard to believe it's actually January! Haha I have an amazing district and the best companion. Her name is Hermana Oldham and we look like opposites but we're so similar! We both play the violin, love the outdoors, speak a little Spanish  (although she's a lot better than me) and love Nutella and to laugh. She's so much fun and we both help each other stay motivated and positive. I'm super grateful for her.

I seriously also have an amazing district. The elders are hilarious and us hermanas are always laughing. They help make this experience super fun but they are also spiritual and I've learned a lot from my district. One elder explained our first week here so well. He said, "I've heard of baptism by fire and knew it would be applicable here, but I didn't realize they would just throw us in the fire and let us burn"! Haha its really not that bad, but the first few days were pretty overwhelming and no one really is there to give you directions you kind of just have to figure out where you need to be and when you need to be there and we were just kind of thrown into it. But I loved and still do love it.

I have felt the spirit so strongly here, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to come serve a mission. I know that this church is true and that people in Georgia need to hear about it. While one elder in my district was teaching me, (I was a pretend investigator) he was struggling along in broken Spanish because we had only been here for like two days and had to teach all in Spanish, I felt the spirit so strongly. We struggle with the language and give up our lives back home to find these people that need the truth. I am so blessed to have this calling!

All the emails and letters make me soooooo happy thank you so much everyone! I'm so grateful for all your support, love, and amazing examples. I love you all so much!!

Con amor,

Hermana Frank

Me and my companion trying to do a
heel click haha

Our whole district at breakfast. As you
 can see I was already done lol 
which was actually a first.Usually my 
companion has to wait for me.

In front of our little casa. It's super

nice and they even have washer

 and dryers inside!

Isn't my companion the cutest?!

All the girls in the district

Allison is off to the Mexico MTC

We drove Allison to the airport on Tuesday, January 10. We are going to miss her, but we are really excited for her opportunity to serve a mission. She is an awesome daughter and big sister and it just wouldn't be fair for us to keep her to ourselves. She has good things to share!

We waited all day long, but finally got our first email from her.

Hey guys!!!

Wowza I don't even know how to explain how awesome this is!  Mexico is so warm and amazing!! I'm so grateful to be here!  The flight was good and I made it safe and sound :)

My pday will be on Wednesday so I won't be emailing tomorrow, but will be emailing next week.  I can't wait to hear from you all!  I love and miss you guys and I'm so overwhelmed with gratitude.  Thanks for all your support and amazing examples.  I can't wait to share all my experiences with you guys!

All my love,

Hermana Frank

You can see that Allison made it safely to the Mexico MTC.  Her cousin, Tyler, was there a couple of months ago and made friends with Esteban.  Esteban works for the Mexico MTC and shared this picture with me on Facebook.  She looks so happy!

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

Allison went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple on November 25, 2016.  Going to the temple is always a wonderful experience, but sharing this experience with Allison was extra special.  We were joined by friends, neighbors, and family members and we are grateful for the love and support we feel from so many.

Allison with Mom and Dad

Allison with Grandma and Grandpa Frank

Allison with Grandma and Grandpa Metcalf

Allison's mission call

Friends and family joined us for Allison to open her mission call.  Georgia, Atlanta North, spanish speaking!  She enters the Mexico MTC on Tuesday, January 10.  We are all excited and happy for the experience she has ahead!